Process of and mechanism for separating metal from earth



T. R. M NERTHNEY PROCESS OF AND MECHANISM FOR SEPARATING METAL FROM EARTH Filed July 18,, 1923 Patented Dec. 16, 1924.

1,519,464 PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS E. MeNEn'rHniaY,

PROCESS or AND MECHANISM FOR Application filed July 18,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS R. MCNERTH- NEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tacoma, in the county of Pierce and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of and Mechanism for Separat- -ing Metal from Earth; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it'appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improved process of and mechanism for separating metal from earth, and more particularly to a mechanism which utilizes the combined effects produced by an X-ray or Roentgenray tube and an electric magnet.

An object of the present invention is to provide a suitable -mechanism which will be used in conjunction with an X-ray or Roentgen-ray tube and an electric magnet for separating and collecting precious metals from earth containing the. same.

Another object of the invention is to provide an endless conveyor earring a plurality of mercurized plates, which will be adapted to pass adjacent the earth containing precious metals and in between an 'X-ray or Roentgen-ray tube and an electric magnet whereby the metals from said earth will adhere to the mercurized plates, later to be scraped therefrom and collected.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a process of and mechanism for separating and collecting precious metals from earth, which will be highly efiicient and quite inexpensive to operate.

Other objects will appear as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of my application,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved apparatus. 7

Fig. 2 is a main View of the same.

Like characters of reference are used throughout the following specification and I the accompanying drawing to designate corresponding parts.

An X-ray or Roentgen-ray tube 1 is suitably positioned within a frame 2 and is connected by means of the electric conductors 3 to a suitable source of electrical energy (not shown).

A canvas belt 4 is positioned immediately OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON.

SEPARATING METAL FROM EARTH.

1923. Serial No. 652,390.

above the X-ray tube 1 and is adapted to have placed thereon earth containing the precious metals, and, is adapted to travel across the top of the said tube.

An electric magnet 5 is positioned above the canvas conveyor belt 4 and is spaced therefrom and is connected by means of the electric conductors 6 to a suitable source of electrical energy (not shown).

A conveyor chain formed of the links 7 is adapted to pass over the sprocket wheels 8 and carries a plurality of mercurized plates 9, which are adapted tobe moved above the surface of the earth on the conveyor belt. 4 and in between the said belt and electric magnet 5.

The plates 9 are adapted to pass through a mercury bath 10 after which they will move between the X-ray tube and the electric magnet and over the canvas belt containing the precious metals whereupon the combined action of the X-ray tube and magnet will cause the precious metals to collect on the said'plates. A suitable wiper 11 is adapted to contact with the plates 9 after they collect the precious metals on their surfaces and scrape the same from the plates in a collecting box 12.

It will be understood that the o eration of the apparatus will be continuous and that as many conveyors may be used as desired and the proportions may be changed to suit the specific requirements.

My apparatus is specially adapted for use where it is desired to separate and collect precious metals from earth containing the same. It has been found that the combined effects produced by the X-ray or Roentgen-ray tube and electric magnet being placed in juxtaposition will cause the precious metals to become attached to a mercurized bath when the same is passed between the said X-ray tube and electric magnet.

Many minor changes in detail of construction may be resorted to without departure from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention What I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The process of separating and collecting precious metals from earth containing the same, comprising the passing of mer curized plates over and adjacent the said earth and passing, said platesand earth between an illuminated X-ray or Roentgenray tube and an energized electric magnet.

2. A mechanism for separating and collecting precious metals from earth containing the same, comprising an X-ray or Roentgen-ray tube, spaced therefrom, conveyor belt positioned between said X-ray tube and magnet adapted to receive a quantity of met-a1 bearing earth, a conveyor chain carrying a plurality v of mercurized plates adapted to pass above said belt and between the same and said electric magnet, and means for scraping the precious metals from said plates into a suitable container.

3. A mechanism for separating precious metals from earth containing the same, coman electric magnet,

prising an X-ray tube, an electric magnet spaced therefrom, a conveyor chain, plates carried by said chain, an earth supporting belt positioned between said X-ray tube and magnet, a mercurized bath positioned at one side of said tube into which said plates are adapted to be immersed, said conveyor chain and plates being adapted to be passed over said earth supporting belt between the same and said electric magnet, and means at the opposite side of said tube for scraping the precious metals from said plates into a suitable container. In testimony whereof I afiix my signa- THOMAS R. MCNERTHNEY.

'ture. 

